THE PHILOSOPHY/MISSION STUDY 3.1 Members of the Committee Name Role _ _ _ _ _ 3.2 Importance of Philosophy/Mission Central to any school is the common philosophy/mission through which all decisions about the school are considered. It conveys the general and specific purposes of its educational program, expresses expectations for quality, and serves as the basis for daily operational and instructional decision making as well as long-range planning. 3.3Philosophy/Mission: A school’s philosophy/mission can take many different forms. A school’s philosophy/mission must be its own, not someone else’s. A mission commonly contains the following components:
The school’s audience (whom it currently serves or will serve in the future)
Its action (what it currently does or should do in the future)
Its aim (the current purpose for which it exists or what the school’s purpose should be in the future)
Its identity (what makes the school unique)
Its means (how, in broad terms, it will do it)
EXAMPLES OF MISSION STATEMENTS: “The mission of the Plato School is to enable learners to develop their individual potential and to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to contribute to a healthy society and become the leaders of tomorrow.” “The Socrates School, building on the strengths, talents and resources of students, educators and community, provides a safe and positive learning environment for all students. All students are encouraged to develop emotionally, intellectually, socially and physically. Socrates School offers a dynamic and continuously evolving curriculum that encourages the respect of individual differences and the development of life-long learning skills to promote success in an ever changing global society.” “Saint Luke School, founded in 1929, is dedicated to the education of students from a variety of backgrounds. We are a faith-centered community rooted in the traditions and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and focused on academic excellence. Our mission is to empower our students to meet the demands of a rapidly changing and morally complex world. We encourage our students to develop into intellectually mature and morally responsible people of faith, vision and purpose.” 3.3.1 Include the school’s current philosophy/mission statement. Our mission is to provide a Catholic Christian educational environment for Pre-K through Eighth Grade in which each child is encouraged to achieve academic excellence, and to reach his or her full intellectual, moral, and spiritual potential through a fully integrated curriculum. By maintaining a strong bond between parish and school, we enhance the educational experience and create a faith-filled community that fosters mutual respect and social responsibility. 3.3.2 Describe who was involved in the development of this statement, how it was developed and when it was developed. 3.3.3 Describe how and when this philosophy/mission statement is reviewed. The statment is reviewed each year by a committee composed of the pastor, principal and three faculty members. 3.3.4 Describe how the school assures that everyone understands and accepts its stated philosophy/mission. 3.4Beliefs: These are the school’s expressions of its fundamental values and are the ethical code always referred to when making decisions. Belief statements are those that everyone in the school adheres to without reservations. Belief statements provide the guidelines for everyone’s behavior. EXAMPLES OF BELIEF STATEMENTS: We believe that:
Children are our community’s most valuable asset.
Effective education develops the whole person — spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically.
Every individual has inherent worth.
Children learn at different rates and in different ways.
Understanding and appreciation of diversity are critical to world peace and harmony.
Life-long learning is essential for success in a changing society.
Education is the shared responsibility of the school, the governing authority, student, family, government and community.
A core of common values and ethical conduct is fundamental to sustaining our society.
Self-esteem is directly related to success.
Risk-taking and a willingness to change are necessary for continuous improvement.
The transmission of faith and cultural values is a primary responsibility of education.
All children have a right to safety, love and learning.
Healthy organizations purposefully provide for self-renewal.
3.4.1 Include the school’s current belief statements. 3.4.2 Describe who was involved in the development of these statements, how they were developed and when they were developed. 3.4.3 Describe how and when the belief statements are reviewed. 3.4.4Describe how the school assures that everyone understands and accepts its stated beliefs.
Middle States Accreditation Standards Review
Middle States Association Accreditation Standards must be met in order for a school to be accredited by MSA. In addition to the standard, MSA has identified key indicators of quality that exemplify how the MSA standard can be met. While it is expected that nearly all schools will endorse and strive to meet most, if not all, of the individual indicators, a school may find that some indicators are more applicable and important than others. For each indicator below indicate the extent to which each indicator is being met on a scale of 4 to 1 with 4 being “strongly implemented” and 1 being “not implemented.” Indicate “n.a.” for “not applicable.” 4= Strongly Implemented 1= Not Implemented n.a.= Not Applicable
The Middle States Standard on Philosophy/Mission The Standard: The school has a clearly written and actively implemented statement of philosophy/mission that conveys the general and specific purposes of its educational program, expresses expectations for quality, and serves as the basis for daily operational and instructional decision making as well as long-range planning. Stakeholders give input into the development of the school’s philosophy/mission and understand and accept it. This document is aligned with the community served and is reviewed periodically by stakeholder representatives. Indicators for all schools:
Degree of Implementation
MSA Indicator
4 3 2 1 na
The school takes steps to ensure that students and their families understand and support the school’s philosophy/mission.
4 3 2 1 na
The philosophy/mission is consistent with ethical norms and demonstrates respect for persons of all races, creeds, and cultures.
4 3 2 1 na
The philosophy/mission is free of contradiction, ambiguity, and excessive abstraction.
4 3 2 1 na
The school implements a system to assess its effectiveness in fulfilling its philosophy/mission.
4 3 2 1 na
The school’s philosophy/mission is clearly communicated in its brochures, promotional materials, policy and procedural handbooks, web site, and similar resources.
Indicators for faith-based schools:
Degree of Implementation
MSA Indicator
4 3 2 1 na
The school’s religious identity is articulated clearly in the school’s mission, beliefs and publications.
4 3 2 1 na
The school’s religious identity is integrated into its philosophy/mission and its school-wide goals and objectives.
4 3 2 1 na
Symbols and artifacts of the school community’s faith are visible in the school.
THE PHILOSOPHY/MISSION STUDY
3.1 Members of the Committee
Name Role
_
_
_
_
_
3.2 Importance of Philosophy/Mission
Central to any school is the common philosophy/mission through which all decisions about the school are considered. It conveys the general and specific purposes of its educational program, expresses expectations for quality, and serves as the basis for daily operational and instructional decision making as well as long-range planning.
3.3 Philosophy/Mission: A school’s philosophy/mission can take many different forms. A school’s philosophy/mission must be its own, not someone else’s. A mission commonly contains the following components:
- The school’s audience (whom it currently serves or will serve in the future)
- Its action (what it currently does or should do in the future)
- Its aim (the current purpose for which it exists or what the school’s purpose should be in the future)
- Its identity (what makes the school unique)
- Its means (how, in broad terms, it will do it)
EXAMPLES OF MISSION STATEMENTS:“The mission of the Plato School is to enable learners to develop their individual potential and to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to contribute to a healthy society and become the leaders of tomorrow.”
“The Socrates School, building on the strengths, talents and resources of students, educators and community, provides a safe and positive learning environment for all students. All students are encouraged to develop emotionally, intellectually, socially and physically. Socrates School offers a dynamic and continuously evolving curriculum that encourages the respect of individual differences and the development of life-long learning skills to promote success in an ever changing global society.”
“Saint Luke School, founded in 1929, is dedicated to the education of students from a variety of backgrounds. We are a faith-centered community rooted in the traditions and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and focused on academic excellence. Our mission is to empower our students to meet the demands of a rapidly changing and morally complex world. We encourage our students to develop into intellectually mature and morally responsible people of faith, vision and purpose.”
3.3.1 Include the school’s current philosophy/mission statement.
Our mission is to provide a Catholic Christian educational environment for Pre-K through Eighth Grade in which each child is encouraged to achieve academic excellence, and to reach his or her full intellectual, moral, and spiritual potential through a fully integrated curriculum. By maintaining a strong bond between parish and school, we enhance the educational experience and create a faith-filled community that fosters mutual respect and social responsibility.
3.3.2 Describe who was involved in the development of this statement, how it was developed and when it was developed.
3.3.3 Describe how and when this philosophy/mission statement is reviewed.
The statment is reviewed each year by a committee composed of the pastor, principal and three faculty members.
3.3.4 Describe how the school assures that everyone understands and accepts its stated philosophy/mission.
3.4 Beliefs: These are the school’s expressions of its fundamental values and are the ethical code always referred to when making decisions. Belief statements are those that everyone in the school adheres to without reservations. Belief statements provide the guidelines for everyone’s behavior.
EXAMPLES OF BELIEF STATEMENTS:
We believe that:
3.4.1 Include the school’s current belief statements.
3.4.2 Describe who was involved in the development of these statements, how they were developed and when they were developed.
3.4.3 Describe how and when the belief statements are reviewed.
3.4.4 Describe how the school assures that everyone understands and accepts its stated beliefs.
Middle States Accreditation Standards Review
Middle States Association Accreditation Standards must be met in order for a school to be accredited by MSA. In addition to the standard, MSA has identified key indicators of quality that exemplify how the MSA standard can be met. While it is expected that nearly all schools will endorse and strive to meet most, if not all, of the individual indicators, a school may find that some indicators are more applicable and important than others.For each indicator below indicate the extent to which each indicator is being met on a scale of 4 to 1 with 4 being “strongly implemented” and 1 being “not implemented.” Indicate “n.a.” for “not applicable.”
4= Strongly Implemented 1= Not Implemented n.a.= Not Applicable
The Middle States Standard on Philosophy/Mission
The Standard: The school has a clearly written and actively implemented statement of philosophy/mission that conveys the general and specific purposes of its educational program, expresses expectations for quality, and serves as the basis for daily operational and instructional decision making as well as long-range planning. Stakeholders give input into the development of the school’s philosophy/mission and understand and accept it. This document is aligned with the community served and is reviewed periodically by stakeholder representatives.
Indicators for all schools:
Degree of Implementation
MSA Indicator
Indicators for faith-based schools:
Degree of Implementation
MSA Indicator